Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 44281 — Wadsworth, OH

ZIP code 44281 (Wadsworth, Medina County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 44281 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 29
First frostOct 19
2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Wadsworth, OH…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Wadsworth, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Chippewa Lake, OH — 10 miles away, elevation 1,181 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 44281

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27
BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 19) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 44281 came on Mar 16 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6b in Ohio

570 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Ohio, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 71

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 109

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 203

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican vetch1.3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 165

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 10

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Wadsworth, OH.

Soil in Wadsworth, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 44281 is Ravenna — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.9%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Ravenna silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 44281; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wadsworth, OH

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights133nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,703base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 08 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 13 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation42.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 17 °F 32°17° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 18 °F 35°18° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 41 °F 61°41° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 31 °F 48°31° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 23 °F 37°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 2.48 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 3.11 in precipitation 3.1 MarApril: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 2.87 in precipitation 2.9 NovDecember: 2.88 in precipitation 2.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chippewa Lake, OH (10 mi away); precipitation: Wadsworth 4.7 Wnw, OH (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

442826a
Wadsworth, OH · 2 mi
442746b
Sharon Center, OH · 3 mi
443216b
Akron, OH · 6 mi
442036b
Barberton, OH · 6 mi
442586a
Medina, OH · 7 mi
442706a
Rittman, OH · 7 mi
442306b
Doylestown, OH · 7 mi
442736a
Seville, OH · 7 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Wadsworth → · Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 44281

What planting zone is ZIP code 44281?

ZIP code 44281 (Wadsworth, OH) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Wadsworth, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 44281 is April 29; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chippewa Lake station.

When is the first frost in Wadsworth, OH?

The median first fall frost near 44281 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 44281?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 44281 get?

About 42.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wadsworth 4.7 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Wadsworth, OH?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 44281 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ravenna at the center of ZIP 44281: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Wadsworth, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 44281 came on Mar 16 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wadsworth, OH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 44281 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 44281 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 44281 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.